Photo Time-Traveler | Vintage Lovers . Wed 28 Jan

One of the things Raccoons love, is beautiful pictures and colors. So... that's what happens when they decide to edit photographs on their own! This time, I tried to add a vintage and 'old-time-mysterious' atmoshere to some pictures I have shot a long time ago, in Germany and UK!

Want to see more? Follow me at 500px or my official Facebook Fan Page! Cheers!!!

Something Sweet .Monday 25 Jan

A chocolate pie to die for... :D
Where? @Skoufaki | Patras .Greece

Snap Back to Reality, Oh there goes gravity

So, you had your time, you did live your dream and achieved your biggest goal. But… you know what comes after great fun… Great disappointment!

We all come through this time. We have to face reality. Harsh, brute, raw reality.
The thing is: the dreamier you are, the harder it is for you to snap back.

You need to forget about rainbows and sparkles and focus on responsibilities. Business, family, realtionships and everything that requires your full and undisturbed attention.

As all people (and raccoons too!) most of us find it extremely hard… But I have thought about it again and again. And I can finally say I know the way…

Here are the easiest ways to return back to reality stronger than ever:

1. Adapting: That’s the spirit!
You can’t go back. Accept it and go on. Keep all the good memories you had and get ready to create new ones. You have to look forward, else you are going to stay forever idle! Days pass by and situations change. Learn to adapt and act appropriately!

2. Create your own reality
Choose all the positive things and create the world you want to live in. Even if your life is full of things you really don’t like doing, act like you love them… just a little bit! Find the passion you are missing, by trying new, interesting, things or add some spice to the ones you already do! Waiting for the bus is not that boring when you read a book…or even chat with strangers! Give it a try!

3.  It’s all about the attitude
Change the way you think. Of course, I am not saying it can be achieved from one day to another, but it’ about time you began revising. The neighbor that listens to music and drives you mad may not be as bad as you think... And his dog, which keeps on barking at late night… it is cute after all!

Always look on the bright side of life!
P.S 1 If tis came to your mind while reading the title then you had a great childhood!

P.S 2: If this came to your mind while reading the conclusion … Man… you are old! But your childhood must have been even better!

Cheers from the Raccooniverse!

Whatever makes you happy...

...Make more of it!

Seems like every raccoon is trying to find the key to happiness. And I am just sitting here, looking at them trying… Cause deep inside, I know there is nothing that can bring happiness. Why?

Because happiness is not something that can be clearly defined. Happiness is a choice. Your own,  personal choice. You decide what makes you happy and what not. Ιs it a fancy car? A big house? Money, or fame?

Of course, influence is a thing… We all grow up in a material world, making us want more and more each day. We all tend to ask for things, but most of them would actually be useless… Right.. The thrill of opening a new present can not be denied… But happiness is not made of plastic. Happiness is the feeling left inside you. Gratitude, acknowledgment, pleasure, delectation…

Happiness is giving without asking anything back. And I am not talking about gifts, or material things. I am talking about feelings and moments.

Happiness is being fulfilled, even if you are out of money. Cause there is nothing that can buy  your true feelings or thoughts.

Happiness is all about you, versus all the things you want (Or you think you want)...

Cause... What if you already have them? What if there is nothing more significant than the fact that you are alive?

Happiness is… being you!

Inspiration Hunting

For the ones who can be really creative, but never do… 

Creative people are something like the rainbows. 
Exciting, bright and really really hard to find! As a raccoon most of the time I am busy, with millions of ideas and dreams, but usually none of them manages to get out of my colorful head.

Unfortunately, the more imagination you have, the harder it is to brindle it all and convince yourself to do anything… But... here comes the magic!

Just like rainbows, in order to appear, creative people need a source of light… And a bit of rain too! Most of us tend to whine about our messy life and all those things that go unexpected.  So, as a fact, the rain is guaranteed!

As for the sun… You will have to find your own!
Something luminous and radiant enough, to give you all the passion you need to go on and achieve your secret goals. That inspiration we are all in search for. Of course, no one said it is easy to find.

But searching for it requires part of your creativity!

Before trying to show off your skills to others, go out and find your own source of inspiration and dreaming. Don’t be silly! You haven’t lost it yet! It is somewhere out there. As long as you have the skills and the mind, impossible is nothing! Still looking at the screen? Oh well.. Here are 4 things that can help you find your lost inspiration!

Go out for a walk
Don’t take that damn car. Go out, smell the breeze, adore the sun, or feel the rain! Simple things usually make us feel calm and composed, which are enough to lift you up and give you that inspirational boost you are in search of!

Find an inspiring place 
You can do this during your walk actually… Find a place that helps you relax and ignites your imagination. It can be a quite place near the sea, a park, a pool, a café or even a pub!

Find inspiring people
Inspiration is just like our mood. Some people make it better while others ruin it! All you have to do is find the right people and spend more time with them!

Listen to your favorite songs 
All of them! Listen to each one you used to love since you were a kid. Some of them may sound too childish, but others will touch you again and bring back memories of your careless years!

Now close your eyes and think…
What did you want as a child? Did you achieve the most of it? And if not... What is holding you back from reaching your goals? Well…Nothing! Except yourself!

5 Reasons to Love the Rain in the Racooniverse!

All the raccoons around the racooniverse are complaining about the unexpected summer squalls that are ruining their summer. But I am a weird raccoon I guess… Cause I love the rain! Any time of the year! Especially on hot summer days! So, here are 5 reasons for all of you that hate the amazing little storms I will always love…

1. Rain brings us together

It is true, umbrellas get us closer! According to (100% accurate) researches, during a rain storm you are more likely (by 34%!) to find the love of your life. 
Dress well, pick your umbrellas and go out to enjoy yourselves! Maybe the love of your life is waiting for you out there!

2. Rain is Inspiring

It is a great time to stay inside and enjoy some creative and lonely time by yourself! You can even stare out of the window, at the stressful people running around, trying to avoid the rain. Oh well, maybe this is not necessary….
One thing is for sure; just the sound of the rain itself can make you feel relaxed and help you think over ideas and plans or even set new goals!

3.Your car gets a wash for free!

So, assuming you really don’t care about finding the love of your life, or being inspired, you have to agree that the rain is a really efficient way to carry through with many “boring” tasks, such as washing your car, your dog or even yourself (well..no.. I hope you really don’t need to wait for the rain for the last one…)!

Not to mention the fact that grass and the flowers in the garden get watered! Yes… we all know you forgot to water them for the last 2 months!

4. Of course… It’s all about the Rainbow!

No matter how old you are, you have to admit you tend to smile when you see rainbows! Its astonishing colors work like a 'filter' of happiness for everyone,making us wonder if the tales about gold and leprechauns are true…

5. Rainy days remind you how much you love the sun

Even if nothing of the above changed your feeling over rain, I suppose you are happy enough when it stops. It is a great way to appreciate the hot summer sun and all those cool beaches you can’t wait to visit!
So even if you hate squalls, you can think about the day after and smile again, before diving in the sea!

P.S. Remember to worry less

Or something like... P.S. No stress!

No matter how calm you think you are… We all have our ups and downs. It may be work, family, school, a pet or even its vet (hehe!) ! But one thing is for sure; we all have something to stress about. 

Even, worse, when we don’t we should be getting ready about something coming! 

But what am I talking about after all? Let me make my self clear…

It’s finally summer time.. And you managed to get that damn day off and go somwhere sunny, for a drink... or two. You have arranged everything and checked your bag twice! You got sunscreen, sunglasses, sundress, sundae, su*ndals and even a sunket^ (well, it’s all about the 'sun' thing after all!)

You have just arrived at the beach, no matter if it’s crowded or not… It’s a god damn beach in which you are all about to swim and feel free from every problem and issue you may have!

And just when it feels “sunny” enough… The phone rings!

That terrifying sound… It may be your favorite song, or the voice of your favorite little cute nephew saying "I love you aunty"… But that sound… in that exact point of the day… We all know what it means. You act like you didn’t hear a thing… But guess what… It will keep ringing!

No more bragging… You will eventually answer that damn call… or at least check who was trying to reach you… And, at that exact point of the story, your sunny day has just become… sun-ken!

A call from your office, asking for your urgent help, your parents wanting to know what are you about to do with your life, or even your kid (yes.. right…there are people out there that have children!) who has just managed to put the whole kitchen on fire on their try to make ice cream (sounds ridiculous.. right..? who uses the oven for an ice cream!).

Ice cream or I scream?

Step one. Breathe deep!

Step two. Stay calm, answer the call, saying as few words as possible and hang up.

Step three. Hooreyyyy! Let’s dive in that sea!

It may sound immature or totally careless, but trust me. That’s EXACTLY what your reaction should be.

For God’s sake. For one time, you need to take a break. We are all humans and deserve a moment of total ignorance about our problems. Yes. You totally deserve NOT to care once in a while.

In order to make the right decisions and act rational, you firstly have to get rid of all of that stress you may have raised. Take your time, act without worries or concerns and make sure you have all that fun you need in order to come back stronger tomorrow!

No one said life is easy or that everything is going to be perfect and as planned. After all, wouldn’t it all be boring without some surprises and a bit of failure?

But keep in mind; every little snag is another part of your experience and one more page in your amazing book of life. We all have our books and one thing is for sure. A sloppy book is way more interesting than an empty one! 

^sunket:  something tasty when referring to a food or something stupid when referring to a person or an action... you decide!